James Fred Johnson affectionately known as "Fred" was a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in the State of West Virginia. He previously worked at the James Funeral Home in Logan, Logan County, West Virginia. He founded the Johnson Funeral Home on Rt. 44 in Switzer, Logan County, West Virginia in the 1950s. The funeral home is now the Collins Funeral Home.

Born April 2, 1906, in Wayne County, West Virginia, he was the son of the late James Fred Johnson Sr and Oma (nee Walker) Johnson.

Johnson Funeral Home occupied the former Island Creek Coal Company Store in Switzer, West Virginia. After extensive renovations, J. Fred Johnson opened the Johnson Funeral Home to serve the communities of Switzer, Barnabus, and small mining communities along West Virginia State Route 44. Mr. Johnson had a reputation for his excellent embalming skills. He was uniquely gifted with restorative arts. Mr. Johnson made it possible for coal mining accident victims to be viewed by their family despite extensive facial and cranial damage. He operated the funeral home until he retired in the mid-1980s.

Fred served as the Master Embalmer/Funeral Director for many aspiring funeral directors. James Fred Johnson assisted many young funeral directors with their state-required practicums. Mr. Johnson was a natural teacher. He enjoyed teaching others his leading cosmetology and restoration skills.

Fred Johnson married Marilyn (nee Berkley) Johnson. They had two daughters, Joanna, and her husband, Danny Seay of Barboursville, West Virginia, and Jeanette Brannock of Palm Bay, Florida.

He passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 21, 1989, at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia.

James Fred Johnson was laid to rest at Highland Memorial Gardens in Logan, West Virginia.